2024_09_25 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading-Mark 1:16-20, Mark 3:17, Mark 5:37-43, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 9:51-56, Mark 10:35-45, John 19:25-27, John 21:24-25, Acts 3:1-11, Revelation 1:1-4
Self-promotion seems to be all the rage today. It’s aided by numerous social media vehicles where we can be a star of our own making. For followers of Jesus, though, self-promotion is something that we need to watch out for. Otherwise, our lives will be off track, and we will miss the purpose – the unique and grand purpose – God has for us. Jesus’ disciple John really understood this. In his biography of Jesus, John regularly quotes Jesus explaining what the life of a true follower should be characterized by…
“Come follow me” John 1:43 (NLT)
“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.” John 14:21 (NLT)
“All who love me will do what I say.” John 14:23 (NLT)
“And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.” 1 John 2:3 (NLT)
There are many more like these, and they underscore John’s recognition that Jesus was to be the top priority in the life of a believer. John was so convinced that instead of referring to himself by name, he would call himself “the other disciple” (John 20:3) or “the disciple Jesus loved” (John 21:7). I am inspired by this humble and genuine way that John practically lived out his devotion to Jesus. Many years ago, I began signing my name on emails with all lower-case letters as a reminder (to myself) that I am not a big deal.
I want to close with a quote from Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, that puts the mindset of John in clear focus:
“IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor